Jun. 17, 2014 - 07:14PM
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NEWPORT, R.I. — The U.S. Navy’s top officer asked naval officers, scholars and students at the Naval War College on Tuesday for their help in updating the nation’s maritime strategy, last revised seven years ago when the country was fighting land wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert told an audience at the college he needs their suggestions before he signs off this year on a new maritime strategy for the 21st century.

The document helps guide how defense contracts are awarded and where assets are assigned. It was last revised in 2007, in the midst of the two wars and before the economic recession.

The updated strategy will have a new emphasis on cyber warfare and the changing security landscape, and will address such current issues as climate change in the Arctic that has allowed more shipping.

“We have to articulate our being, what we’re about, to our allies and our partners, and our adversaries as well,” Greenert said.

Greenert said U.S. presence will continue to be a guiding principle in the country’s strategy. He noted that the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush was able to get to the Persian Gulf quickly this weekend at President Barack Obama’s behest amid the escalating violence in Iraq because the ship was already in the North Arabian Sea.

Greenert said he also plans to develop a trained, educated “strategic cadre” within the Navy that would be positioned throughout the force.